Worth police to receive new vehicles

By Joe Boyle

New vehicles for the police department and two block party requests have been approved to mark the beginning of summer in Worth.

Two 2023 Toyota Rav 4, LE Hybrids will be purchased to replace a 2018 Jeep Cherokee Latitude, one 2022 Ford Explorer and one 2018 Dodge Durango RT.

Police Chief Tim Denton is asking that the Jeep Cherokee, the Dodge Durango, and a Toyota Avalon be sold, traded in, or disposed of.

The new vehicles, including a Chevy Tahoe 4WD LS, will be purchased for $36,335.26. DEA funds will be used to purchase the vehicles.

An ordinance authorizing the disposal of personal property was approved during the Worth Village Board meeting on Tuesday night. The ordinance was approved with the purchase of vehicles for the police in mind.

With summer beginning on Wednesday, requests for block parties were on the agenda. A request was approved for Tim Hoffman to hold a block party on Nashville Avenue from 107th to 109th streets, from 2 to 10 p.m. July 8.

Another block party request was granted to Keri Gonjciarz on Crandall from Oak Park to New England avenues, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 12.

Mayor Mary Werner said 42 criminal arrests were made during the month of May. The peculiar statistic was that 17 arrests occurred where drivers did not have a driver’s license or it was revoked.

Twelve arrests took place in which the offenders did not even have a driver’s license, Werner noted.

“That’s just unbelievable,” said Trustee Pete Kats. “What are these people thinking.”

Trustee Brad Urban, who is the head of the public works committee, said that six water main breaks took place last month. He also said that large flower pots were placed at 111th and Oak Park, the Village Hall and the Metra entrance. Hanging pots were placed on Oak Park Avenue light poles.

“Daily water pumping totals for the village has increased from an average of 750,000 gallons per day, to a daily average of 925,000 gallons, Urban said, referring in part to the drought.

Street sweeping will take place Monday, June 26, and Urban asks that residents not park on curbed streets between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The North Palos Fire Protection District has begun hydrant flushing to eliminate rust and other materials in the water, Urban said.

Bacteriological samples for May were taken and tested at 10 locations. All samples passed and are IEPA compliant, Urban added.

An ordinance amending the Worth municipal code to establish parking regulations on the south side of 116th Street between Oak Park and New England avenues was approved.

An ordinance for an intergovernmental agreement with the Worth Park District for the award of coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds was approved.

Another ordinance was approved for a special use to establish and operate an insurance mortgage office at 6850 W. 111th St. The board also approved the license for owner Yunus Hussem to open Traust Financial at the location.

A license was tentatively granted for CM Tobacco, 6611 W. 111th St. Owner Rakan Alqheiei said they will be selling tobacco products.

A business license was tentatively granted to owner Fatoumata Konte, who will open Nourah Hairbraiding, 11312 S. Harlem Ave. She will be selling beauty supplies and women’s wigs.

Werner also said the FOP Golf Outing was a success at Water’s Edge

“It was well attended and it was probably the best weather we ever had,” Werner said. “The police did a good job of getting donations.”

Funds raised from the golf outing will be donated to Worth School District 127.